Having just completed his sophomore season, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Heaps must sit out the 2012 season because of NCAA transfer rules. He will have two years of eligibility remaining, beginning in 2013.

Earlier Thursday, Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist announced he is also transferring to Kansas. However, Crist will be able to play next season and has just one year of eligibility left. Heaps started BYU's last 10 games as a freshman in 2010, and first five games in 2011 before being benched in favor of junior Riley Nelson. With Nelson injured, Heaps led the Cougars to a 42-7 win over New Mexico State on Nov. 29, but Nelson was given the starting job back two weeks later against Hawaii.

Mendenhall said Thursday that he granted Heaps the release and that he believes philosophically that any player who wants to transfer should be allowed to do so without penalty from the institution he is leaving.

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